AAK
My next stop was Delhi, from where we decided to take a road trip to Jaipur. Growing abundantly near one of the stops we took, I was drawn to how intricate each flower was. There was nothing delicate about these plants. They looked strong and seemed to be telling the world not to worry. That they will take care of it all!
Also known as the crown flower, they were considered a symbol of royalty. From having cultural and religious significance, to being commercially known as the ‘Bowstring of India’, every part of the plant is used for either its fiber, cotton and leather processing abilities, or for its medicinal and fungicidal properties. These plants do their bit to give back to the societies around them.
Another interesting fact that got me very excited, is that this plant is a host plant for Hawaii's non-migratory monarch butterflies !
Standing royally along roadsides, in wasteland and around inhospitable environments, Aak tells the story of survival, strength and duty.
AAK 1
Measurements (cm) : 40 X 30 X25 (approx)
AAK 2
Measurements (cm) : 35 X 27 X 22 (approx)
ABOUT THE PIECE
The Aak plant has one of the most intricate flowers. From the fleshy petals to the most fascinating center, each required its own study. Because the Aak flower in nature is mostly single toned, the question faced when making them was should the entire flower be made of porcelain, or should it be contrasted with black clay. However, I finally chose to use both clays for the purpose as it seemed to best show the different details of the flower.
